Silk scrunchies are gentler on hair than elastic — but silk itself needs gentle care. The good news is that caring for them takes minutes, not hours. Here is how to keep them pristine, and what to do when the worst happens.
Why Silk Snags
Mulberry silk is delicate. Snagging usually comes from jewellery, zips or rough textures, not the scrunchie itself. Put your hair up gently, and keep silk away from hardware — rings with raised settings, watch straps, bag zips and Velcro are the usual culprits. If you wear a lot of rings, put your scrunchie on before your jewellery.
Wash
Hand-wash in cool water with a mild silk-friendly detergent. Do not rub — swish and rinse. Work through it in four short steps:
- Fill a bowl with cool water and a small amount of silk detergent.
- Submerge and swish gently for a minute or two. Do not wring or twist.
- Rinse in cool water until it runs clear.
- Avoid bleach, enzyme-based detergents and fabric softener — all of them break down the protein fibre.
Dry
Roll in a towel to remove water, then air-dry flat away from direct heat or sunlight. Never tumble dry, and never dry on a radiator — high heat is what dulls silk fastest. Lay it on a towel somewhere with a little air movement and it will usually be dry within a few hours.
Store
Keep scrunchies loose, not stretched, and away from rough surfaces. A shallow tray or a divided drawer works well; a hook with other accessories rubbing against it does not. With care they will stay glossy for years.
Can You Machine Wash Them?
Occasionally, and with caveats: use a mesh laundry bag, the delicate or silk cycle, cool water and a silk-safe detergent — and accept that repeated machine washing shortens the life of the elastic and the sheen. If you rely on one favourite, hand-washing is worth the two minutes.
If It Snags or Loses Its Elastic
A pulled thread can often be eased back from the reverse side with a fine needle — push the loop through gently rather than pulling it. Elastic that has gone slack is harder: a few minutes in cool water and a flat dry will sometimes recover it, but a permanently stretched core means it is time to retire it to a loose top-knot duty or replace it.
How Often Should You Wash?
Every two to three weeks for regular wear, sooner if you use styling products. More often than that and you are washing out the finish for no real benefit.